How to Grow a Mango in a Pot? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Planting Method
The mango is one of the famous tropical fruits. Because its flesh is delicate, its flavor is unique, and it is rich in nutrients, it is deeply loved by people, and so it has long been known as the “king of tropical fruits.” At present, there are many cultivated varieties of mango, but when growing mango in an indoor pot, the usual choice is still the small mango. Let us take a look together at the method for growing mango in a pot!
Preparation for Growing Mango in a Pot
To grow mango in a pot, you must do the preparatory work well. First, choose a fully ripe mango. Although such a fruit is no longer very tasty to eat, it can ensure that the stone has fully developed and has sufficient nutrients, and this is also related to whether the mango seed can ultimately germinate and grow well. Use a small knife to cut away all the flesh of the mango, and keep the seed for later use. Use the small knife to pry open the outer shell of the seed, that is, from the small gap at the side, cut it open with the knife, then force it apart into two pieces. Put the extracted seed embryo in water to soak for later use.
Method for Growing Mango in a Pot
1. Prepare a standard planting and growing soil in the flower pot, then half-bury the seed in the soil, with the end of the seed that has the embryo facing downward into the soil. Only in this way can it help the seed germinate, and it also protects the embryo from being bitten and damaged by ants, snails, and the like.
2. After planting, put the flower pot in a warm, humid place with sunlight. Pay attention to looking after it and keep the soil moist. Under normal conditions of suitable temperature and humidity, on the fifth or sixth day after burying the seed, you can see the top of the seed begin to sprout, and it will grow larger day by day.
Tips for Growing Mango in a Pot
1. Temperature: Mango likes warmth and cannot tolerate cold or frost. The optimum growth temperature is 25-30°C. Below 20°C growth is slow, and below 10°C the leaves and flower panicles stop growing, and nearly mature fruit suffers cold damage. The effective temperature for growth is 18-35°C, the suitable temperature for shoot growth is 24-29°C, and fruit set and young fruit growth require an average daily temperature greater than 20°C.
2. Light: Mango is a light-loving fruit tree. Sufficient light can promote flower bud differentiation, flowering and fruit set, and improve fruit quality and appearance. Usually, a single tree on the sunny side of the canopy or in an open environment flowers more and has a higher fruit-setting rate, while mango with too many branches and leaves, a closed canopy, and insufficient light flowers and fruits less, and the fruit appearance and quality are both poor. Through pruning and shaping, the light conditions within the orchard and within the tree can be improved to increase yield and extend the peak production period.
3. Water: Mango grows well in areas with an annual rainfall of 700-2000 millimeters. In South China, the uneven distribution of annual rainfall often affects growth and development. If the air is too dry during the flowering period and the early fruiting stage, it easily causes flower and fruit drop; too much rain in turn leads to rotten flowers and poor pollination and fertilization; when summer rainfall is too concentrated, it often induces serious fruit diseases; and the autumn drought after harvest mostly affects the sprouting and growth of the mother branches of the autumn shoots.
4. Soil: Mango is not demanding about soil. Mango can be cultivated in areas below 600 m elevation. However, loam or sandy loam with deep soil layers, a groundwater level below 3 m, good drainage, and slight acidity is best.
Note: When watering an indoor potted mango, you must control it well. In particular, do not set the indoor air-conditioning temperature too low. In summer, on cool days including rainy days, if the soil is dry, water once every 3-5 days. Also give the indoor space more ventilation, otherwise it is prone to pests and diseases. Water by the principle of watering when dry and stopping when wet. In winter, water once every one to two weeks, and the soil must be watered thoroughly.